RumenHealthTechnicalGuide

DimensionsofAcidosis(Clinical&Subclinical)

Intensive farming practices require a high plane of nutrition, which typically includes high levels of fermentable carbohydrates which can put the animal at risk for developing metabolic disorders, in particular, challenges to rumen stability and sub acute acidosis.

Sub Acute Ruminal Acidosis (SARA)

More common, results from excessive volatile fatty acidGlossaryView allVolatile Fatty Acid (VFAGlossaryView allVolatile Fatty Acid (VFA)The microbial ecosystem in the rumen ferments carbohydrates into VFAs. These products are absorbed though the rumen wall into the blood and used like energy source for the animal. The three main VFAs are acetic acid, butyric acid and propanoic acid. )The microbial ecosystem in the rumen ferments carbohydrates into VFAs. These products are absorbed though the rumen wall into the blood and used like energy source for the animal. The three main VFAs are acetic acid, butyric acid and propanoic acid. (VFA) production that exceeds the ability of the rumen to neutralize and it exceeds the absorption capacity of the ruminal papillae.

Rumen pH drops below 5.8 and remains bellow this threshold for three or more hours within a 24-hour period.

An increased passage rate from an imbalanced diet and low digestibility can lead to unclean animals.

UNDIGESTED GRAIN

Undigested processed grains in the feces because of poor rumen efficiency may be due to an increased passage rate due to an imbalanced or low diet digestibility. 20ReferenceView allHall M. B. 2002.

HEAT STRESS

Heat stress increases the risk of acidosis and low fiber degradation as:
> Eating behavior is modified: cows prefer to eat in “blocks” in the cooler times of the morning and later evening.
> Dry matter intake is decreased with lower proportion of forage and higher levels of fermentable carbohydrates.
> High loss of saliva (from drooling and open-mouthed breathing) in hot weather decreases the amount of natural buffers to the rumen.31ReferenceView allBurgos Zimbelman Rosemarie and Collier Robert J. 2011.